Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "Instructions on Not Giving Up" by Ada Limón
What do the myth of the phoenix bird and Ada Limón's poem "Instructions on Not Giving Up" have in common? Young scholars create a list of what they notice about both the myth and poem, then consider what the similarities might indicate...
Curated OER
Get your Snow People Here
Students recall information from the story Snowballs to complete a story map. They also compare and contrast two Snow People and cooperatively create an original snow person.
Curated OER
Charlotte's Web Venn Diagram
Students, together as a class, construct a Venn diagram of characteristics they see in two classmates. Then, they independently create another Venn diagram comparing/contrasting two characters from the story Charlotte's Web. They share...
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Skellig
In this Skellig worksheet, students read to understand the works of David Almond and learn about his life. Students read eleven passages and then answer ten questions related to reading for meaning and understanding the author's craft.
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Comparing and Contrasting Heroes
Students identify the characteristics that make someone a hero. They also examine the values of all heroes.
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Pioneering Children on the Move
Students inquire about life for pioneer children. In this pioneer period lesson, students analyze photographs of children, make information foldables, and create a covered wagon that was typical of the ones of the past. Students will...
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Winter Holidays Around the World
How much do you know about the holidays around the world? Second graders put their knowledge to the test with a 14-day instructional activity about global celebrations. They read informational text, employ KWL charts, and compare and...
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Make an "I'm Thankful For..." Placemat
Learners compare and contrast what they are thankful for and what the pilgrims were thankful for, and create a Thanksgiving placemat. They read and recite the poem "I'm Thankful For," and create a laminated landscape placemat that...
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Discovering Dickens
Students restate facts and details in text to inform and organize ideas and have a choice of four activities to enhance learning,
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Matter/Solid Liquid Gas Experiments
Learners investigate matter:solid, liquid, gas by conducting different experiments. In this states of matter lesson, students conduct hands on activities that allow learners to see first hand results. Students mix...
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Molly's Pilgrim
Third graders explore the multi-ethnic nature of America's citizens and examine the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. In this Molly's Pilgrim lesson, 3rd graders discuss the poem "The New Colossus," examine vocabulary words...
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Vocabulary Review
In this vocabulary building worksheet, students read 8 sentences that have a missing word. Students analyze 4 possible answers and check all possible completions.
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Elmer by David McKee
Students explore individual differences. In this literacy and self-esteem lesson, students listen to the story Elmo by David McKee, then describe what characteristics make Elmo special. Students complete a T chart showing how Elmo looked...
Lycoming College
An Author Study of Jan Brett
Jan Brett, the author of many beloved children's books, is well worth a study. Try out this winter-themed unit, which covers areas of language arts as well as art, math, science, and social studies.
Curated OER
Johnny Appleseed & Miss Rumphius
Students read American folktales. They explore and discuss the characteristics of a folktale. Students construct a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast Lupine Lady and Johnny Appleseed. Class diagrams will be displayed.
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What Do We Share?
Seventh graders compare and contrast information about differences and similarities in communities.
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Saving on Lighting Energy Activity
In this saving energy instructional activity, students compare and contrast the effectiveness of compact fluorescent lighting, incandescent light bulbs, and light emitting diodes.
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Comparison of Multicultural Literature
Students read and compare/contrast three different cultural versions of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Using handheld computers, they read eBook versions of each version, complete a BooksLog, and write and illustrate a modern version...
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News View
Learners read and analyze three different news sources that describe the same event. They compare/contrast the similarities and differences of the news sources, and write an essay describing the main event.
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Using Chuang Tzu in a British Literature Curriculum
Students read and compare/contrast translations of Chuang Tzu and "Beowulf." They complete handouts, answer discussion questions, identify themes and symbols, and complete various writing assignments.
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Jack / Kate and the BeanStalk
Students compare/contrast "Jack and the Beanstalk," by Steven Kellogg to "Kate and the Beanstalk," by Mary Pope Osborne. They discuss their character traits, stereotypes and "Bend Stereotypes" by modeling and demonstrating them within a...
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Civil Service Reform: Campaign Contributions
Students investigate the campaign contribution scandal in Illinois during the 1990s. They listen to a teacher-led discussion, answer discussion questions, compare/contrast two reform acts, and write their own civil service law.
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Oddity Rhyming Strips
Learners practice identification of rhyming words. Students compare/contrast pictures by identifying rhyming sounds in them. Learners place strips on the pictures. Students share comparisons with each other.
Curated OER
Adapting a Fairy Tale
Students read and prepare a new oral version of a selected fairy tale. They read and compare/contrast two fairy tales and identify the main story elements. In small groups they create a new oral version of one they fairy tales and...